Author's note - I've never had anybody thank me for a chapter - so thanks. I appreciate it. Before I was stuck. Because they're back at home and I wasn't sure what to do next. But after sitting down to write that chapter, it's like it all came undone. I'm amaze at how well it all came out. And yes, I am also happy I showed them all and their reactions to being home - so now -- Jackson's not the only one not liking the new arrangements. In the future - you'll see what happens to Beaver - because he can't live with Melissa forever. You'll see what happens with Beaver and Taylor's relationship. What happens to Jackson because of what he'd done before he left - that fight and whoever got hurt. And hopefully more things I haven't yet thought of. This story could go on forever - so tell me if you really think I should just cut loose and end it all.

The ending's lame - but I couldn't think of anything else…next chapter will be better. I added a J/T moment. I know it's probably surprising to some but - don't worry, next chapter they'd be more moments with them - hopefully. And Beaver and Melissa are becoming closer friends. It won't be anything more than friends - but I think their friendship is really important. And I kinda wrote this before I read all the reviews - so sorry if they don't meet your wishes - next chapter will have more J/M. And whatever else people want. I just wanted to continue it for now. So, enjoy.

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"Beaver, wake up," Melissa murmured, kneeling beside Beaver. She reached out a hand and shook him gently. He'd stayed in her room for the night, sleeping on the ground. Melissa wasn't sure if it was the comfort of a couch or being alone again that really put him off.

Beaver jerked awake, lifting his hands defensively. "It's just me," Melissa said quickly.

"What time is it?" Beaver asked yawning.

"Eight," Melissa answered. "Want some breakfast."

Beaver sat up quickly. "Sure," he answered calmly. "What is it?"

"French toast," Melissa answered. "Eggs. Some toast if you want."

"Are you sure your dad doesn't mind?" Beaver asked, letting Melissa help him to his feet. He stretched. "I mean, I am eating his food."

"I told you last night, Beaver," Melissa told him gently. "He likes you. And you're kinda…appreciative. He's completely okay with it."

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"You don't have to come back to school for another week," the secretary in the office told Taylor gently. "Are you sure this is what you want? Don't you want to let your arm heal first?"

"It's not gonna disappear in a week," Taylor told the lady for the second time. "I don't want to sit around the house any longer, so yes - just give me my schedule."

The secretary shrugged. It wasn't like she actually cared. Taylor was here - alive, so what's there to worry about? She fingered through a stack of papers, eventually pulling out a single schedule. She handed that schedule to Taylor, who took it quickly and promptly left the office.

Taylor eyed her classes, recognition hitting her quickly. These were the classes she had signed up for last year. First hour wasn't supposed to start for another fifteen minutes, but she wanted something to do - she wanted somewhere to be. Algebra. Why had she signed up for that again? "Whatever," Taylor told herself, forcing herself to go in the direction of room G-115.

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"What are you doing back so early?" Eric asked, approaching Taylor quickly form around the corner.

Taylor shrugged. "I never thought I'd say it but…I had nothing better to do."

"Funny how friends disappear when you're gone for two months," Eric murmured.

"Didn't they give you time off too?" Taylor asked.

Eric shrugged. "The only thing I had to do was stay home and listen to the rents argue. Believe me, it's not exactly pretty."

"We're pathetic," Taylor said miserably.

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Nathan slid back in his chair, trying to stare straight ahead. English class - he used to think he almost enjoyed it. But that was back when Daley was nothing more than a rival. Daley sat a few seats ahead of him, and now she was all he could think about. Every poem the teacher read, he was forced to link it to Daley. When had he changed? Did he notice the change the before? No. Nathan had thought he'd remained the same, but that wasn't true. And it wasn't entirely because he'd been stuck on an island for so long.

Daley didn't seem that different, not to Nathan. She was a lot nicer to him, but he just figured that was because they'd spent so much time together. She had gotten to know him - and he'd met her inner side too.

Intense situations force people together, because they now suddenly have something in common. They feel like a team, because they're forced to endure the same thing. But now that Nathan and Daley were back in society, what if that familiarity between them suddenly evaporated? What if their feelings for one another no longer existed?

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"What are you doing here?" Taylor asked, sliding into her seat in Algebra, beside Jackson. Before, when he'd started the semester, she had almost been disappointed - to be stuck next to the new kid. The freak. But now she was relieved. Finally - a friendly face.

"They wouldn't stop staring at me," Jackson murmured, leaning back in his chair. "I wanted to get out, I guess. How's your arm?"

"The pain killers the doctor gave me helped a lot," Taylor admitted. "It's fine. It's gonna scar badly, though."

Jackson nodded, staring down at his hand that laid on the table. The doctor had wrapped it tightly and then put a temporary brace on it. He'd dealt with casts and other stuff like that before, but this was different.

"Are you okay, Jackson?" Taylor asked.

"I'm fine," Jackson answered automatically.

"Are you sure?" Taylor asked. "Because -"

"Taylor," Jackson interrupted. "It's okay. You don't have to be concerned. I mean…what would people think, right?"

Taylor's face rushed red. She wasn't sure if she should be angry or sad. Taylor turned quickly, straightening in her chair. She folded her arms across her chest and focused hard on the teacher that had just entered.

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Melissa sat heavily on the couch. She flipped through the channels, but seriously, it was day TV. Soap operas. She settled on a random soap opera, glancing to the side when Beaver made a snort. "Hey," Melissa said sharply. "Don't judge me."